'Anything Disgusting'

Many of us have heard of the now prohibited practice of 'Foot Binding' in China. Around our world, there are other bizarre traditions and customs...some painful and rather barbaric, others titillating. Let's go look...

Known as ' Blackening the Bride,' Scottish brides-to-be take part in a foul pre-wedding ritual. Spoiled milk, rotten eggs, feathers and just about anything disgusting are thrown at and layered over this woman. Why you ask...?? After going through this, marital problems will seem like child's play. Visiting Greece, we observe some spitting three times a day. Are you curious...?? It is said that this practice keeps evil and misfortune away. The 'Monkey Buffet' is held annually in Thailand. Hmmm you ask...?? Three thousand kilograms of fruit and vegetables are offered  to the local primates as a method of appeasing the Gods. Traveling to Mozambique now, we learn that when a woman's husband dies she must marry any male relative of her deceased husband. Need to know...?? The woman is considered property of that family. Another pre-wedding tradition know as 'Polterabend' takes place in Germany. A party is held where the guests break dishes, tiles, toilets- everything with the exception of mirrors. Interested...?? The bride and groom work together cleaning up the mess, symbolizing the trials they will face as a couple. England finds us watching 'Gurning.'  Men done a horse collar and do their silly best to make either the most disgusting or humorous grimace. Why Gurn...?? Just for the heck of it.

U.S.A. again, we watch as greased pigs slither past and are hopefully caught by people of all ages. Ah, it's nice to be home.

"I prefer to chose which traditions I keep and which to let go."
 ~ Theodore Bikel~